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Feel like big leaguers on White Sox Family Field Day

On May 18, fans can get up close and personal with their home ballpark

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By Scott Merkin
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MLB.com |

CHICAGO -- The White Sox will be taking on the Angels in Anaheim on May 18.

But more than 2,000 miles away in Chicago, on that same afternoon, there will be people jumping into the outfield walls at U.S. Cellular Field.

That particular activity stands as one of the many opportunities afforded by the White Sox Family Field Day, which costs $30 per adult and $12 for children. It's one of the organization's earlier-in-the-season events and gives White Sox fans a chance to get up close and personal with their home ballpark.

"Family Field Day is a great, really affordable way for people to come out and just feel like big leaguers," said White Sox senior director of community relations Christine O'Reilly. "We open up the whole outfield to them so people can play catch.

"We always see the kids that do Willie Mays crashing into the wall, [and] adults, too. They are the ones who wonder, 'Why do I hurt so much today?'

"People can go into the dugouts and get their pictures taken by home plate," said O'Reilly, listing some of the day's activities. "It just is a really great opportunity for fans to come out and have access where they normally wouldn't ever have an opportunity to do so."

Tickets can be purchased for one of three Family Field Day sessions, with it beginning at 9:30 a.m. CT and running until a 12:30 p.m. session. The home clubhouse will be open for tours for an additional $10 for adults and $5 for kids.

While the Family Field Day is going on, the White Sox Garage Sale takes place on the patio from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. There's no cost for the Garage Sale, and the memorabilia available can be checked out even if fans don't want to take part in an on-field session.

"This is a perfect Mother's Day or Father's Day or even a graduation gift," said O'Reilly of the May 18 event. "People say, 'What am I going to buy my dad? He has everything.'

"Come to the Garage Sale. We have signed items and used items and stuff from the clubhouse and décor items from the ballpark. It's a fun day to come out and pick something up as a gift, if nothing else."

A smart car raffle, courtesy of Mercedes Benz of Orland Park featuring the smart car, once again is taking place. Last year's customized car was black, and this year's car is white with pinstripes and White Sox logos.

Starting May 10, White Sox fans will have the opportunity to buy $10 raffle tickets through Aug. 30. The drawing for the car takes place on Sept. 6, with all proceeds benefiting White Sox Charities.

Tickets for the smart car raffle can be purchased online for those residents of Illinois. Otherwise, people can buy them at the box office, and the White Sox will have them for sale all the time at the games.

"We'll have roving sellers," O'Reilly said. "And the raffle tickets are available at the advance windows inside the ballpark."

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.